Tech. Switch to Broadband?

Subject: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 05:19 AM

Any advice from techie-minded Catters on switching to broadband?
I'm with Virgin. Net and have been using their 24Seven package which gives unlimited net access, but is still dial-up, so my phone's not free whilst I'm connected.
However, they inform me that this service is now withdrawn and all 24Seven customers have been automatically transferred to Pay-as-You-Go,which is damned expensive (4pence per minute midweek).
So, I aught to drag myself into the modern world and go Broadband. Virgin is £14.99 per month with no annual contract and could do the connection in 7 to 10 days (they claim).
Question.....Do I need any special protections when on broadband? I currently run AVG 7.5 free edition and Sygate Personal Firewall. And is Virgin a good, reliable broadband provider, or are there better?

Would like to receive views/opinions/advice please, 'cos at 4p a minute I'm likely to be in the poorhouse shortly!

Regards
Andy

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: treewind
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 05:34 AM

Get a broadband ethernet router, not a PCI card or USB device.

You will then have an extra level of firewalling, and if you choose a router with more than 1 port it'll work as a hub in case you ever want to network more that 1 computer, and they'll both be able to share the internet connection.

And yes, do switch to broadband. You'll never look back.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Bernard
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 06:12 AM

Hear, hear!

Most ISPs don't 'support' a router, though, which basically means their support helpline isn't trained to talk people through router setup. However, they will give you all the details you require. The mistake most people make is getting the Username correct.

In my experience the most consistently reliable broadband ISP is Pipex... not necessarily the cheapest, but cheap is no good if it keeps dropping out!

Since Orange took over Wanadoo/Freeserve, the service seems to have improved a lot, though there were one or two hiccups which appear to be down to system upgrades. They had a nationwide breakdown a few weeks ago, but since then it's been more stable than I can remember, and I've been using it for over four years, now.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 07:18 AM

F2S (now owned by Pipex) from about £13.99 per month. http://www.f2s.net/ It offers a spam filter based on the SPEW blacklist, but no antivirus.

ETEC do a nice little 4+usb router (not wireless) for about £30. The usb will add a machine without a network card to the network (I am doing it right now). It does have a crude firewall in it. A Netgear would have cost me 4 times as much and been no better.

Do NOT go wireless network. It is a security risk and imposes bandwidth limitations.

I run a different firewall and a different antivirus on each machine on the network, so if somehting gets one machine with luck the others will survive....

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 03:42 PM

Broadband stuff goes much faster in my limited uneddicated experience -
and crashes occur much faster too :-)

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Amos
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 04:12 PM

What treewind said.

We've been cable-modem broadband users for many years and wouldn't consider anything less.


A

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 04:44 PM

Once you've got broadband you'll use the PC in a different way, in the same way you mightb use the books on your shelf to check some fact, and your printed timetables or the TV guide. You won't be able to understand how you ever got along with a dial-up connection.

A router makes a lot of sense. More secure agains tviruses and such, and makes it possible to run other PCs from the same broadand connection, which can be handy if therer is more than one person in a hiousehold who likes tom use the computr sometimes

I can't see how a wireless capable router coild involve any broadband limitations for PCs wired directly into it. And if properly set up they don't have any security risks worth worrying about.

Broadband routers have firewalls built in - and you'd be best to switch off any firewalls in your PC itself, including the one that Windows is likely to put on as a default. I've got a Belkin router, and I found their technical help line was very helpful.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 05:52 PM

Software firewalls aren't worth the powder to blow them back to hell...

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 07:29 PM

What Amos and McGrath said. Can't imagine using anything slower than broadband and we've been using it for over 6 years or more.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: gnomad
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 08:26 PM

Re technical aspects I'm no techie, so will remain schtumm, but I can report on a 10-month experience of Virgin as a broadband provider:

Set-up was easy, connection has been reliable, delivery of electronic bits was prompt & safely packaged. The only break in service was a hiccough of about 12 hours when download speed was being upgraded [free & without my asking]. The pessimist in me now insists that I go embrace a large lump of wood if I wish things to continue smoothly.

If you are using your Virgin e-mail address I imagine that it can be continued through the changeover, which has to be worth something in terms of convenience.

Just my two pennorth. I did have a comparison site for the different ISPs, but deleted it as no-one seemed to have had a positive experience anywhere, supporting the theory so beloved of customer service geeks that a disgruntled customer will tell everyone, whereas a happy customer tends to tell only a few favoured friends.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 08:49 PM

Having a combined cable TV/telephone/broadband from NTL is worth considering. Suits me fine.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 02:52 AM

Thanks to all for the prompt advice and opinions. I will consider all points and ASAP will drag myself kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Broadband here I come!
Kind regards

Andy

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:00 AM

One addition. I have been using Plusnet for many years and would not touch them with a barge pole!

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:03 AM

While this thread is sitting here, may I use it to make a plea.
My computer completely crashed a few days ago. It's limped back into life now, but, I've lost my entire address book. (Yes, stupid boy should have backed it up.....Mea Culpa)
So, to anyone who knows me, could you send me a test E Mail, so that I can put you back on my list.
Apologies to anyone that this doesn't apply to. (Gross Misuse of Mudcat, I Know)
Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Bagpuss
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:15 AM

I had a good experience with cable - telewest in the past, but unforunately we cant get it where we live now. And we were stupidly seduced by the talk talk offer.... It seemed like a great deal to get all our calls bundled in except mobiles and non geographical numbers, because I always use saynotto0870 to avoid paying extra. Unfortunately the tech support line for talk talk doen't have a geographical alternative and it is useless. They keep you in a queue for at least 20 mins as a matter of course, then they have clueless people on the other end who are just following a simple troubleshooter menu and have no idea what they are talking about. The first month we paid over £40 extra in calls sorting out a problem with broadband. We also had loads of hassle with them mucking up our direct debit which resulted in a call bar on our phone and lots of phone calls to sort it out. This would also have cost a fortune if I hadn't found an alternative number on saynotto0870.

In summary, don't go to TalkTalk!

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Rasener
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:25 AM

Well,I have a Belkin modem/router and am running wireless, with USB adaptors on 4 machines.
Works great. Much better than having cables.

Its worth spending the money to get a decent modem router. A very good point about Belkin products which most people tend to overlook, is that supoort for the modem/router is free 0800 telephone support for life which I have always found spot on. They also guarantee free replacement of products if they go faulty.

I reckon everybody will have their own personal choice for ISP. Your choice is dependant on how you plan to use it. If you are a gamer/video freak/music downloader etc you will need to probably pay a bit more to get unlimited broadband.

I am on F2S F2S Website

I pay £14.99 per month and can download upload 5 GB per month. With 4 of us using it, we haven't reached that limit. As and when we do we will upgrade to Home. You get a free website with up to 200 meg webspace which I use for my folk club. Main drawback for me is telephone support which can be expensive if you use it. However there is a support website called Freedom2support Freedom 2 Support website which helps with any queries and works in liason with F2S. You get a lot of good help there.
As isnormal, if something goes wrong, you will always get a huge number of people griping, but generally most problems get solved over time.
F2S is owned by Pipex.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 10:15 AM

I've tried a couple of types of broadband.

I currently have a contract with NTL

£18 per month for that and my phone combined. For another tenner I could have had cable too, but chose not to.

My broadband comes via cable and then ethanet.

Much better than ADSL. No complaints. More reliable less hassle.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Scrump
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 10:30 AM

With regard to wireless routers, I have a NetGear router that I configured to only allow my own individual computers to communicate with. If you make it secure from access by any but the computers you specify, you shouldn't have any problems. As others have said, it has the great advantage that I don't need cables everywhere, and I can use a laptop anywhere in the house (except probably in the bath - never tried that ;-)) or even in the garden (weather permitting).

It's surprising how many of my neighbours have unsecured wireless networks though - but can be handy if my own broadband is down ;-)

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Rasener
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 10:41 AM

Agreed scrump

My connection is protected.

As you say, its great with the laptop.You can go where ever.

Maybe Brainiac could test the laptop in the bath concept :-)

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 11:12 AM

And when you get a new computer, and the old one is still working, you can stick it in an attack or a shed, or anywhere where where there is a power point, and it's available to use any time you want it.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: open mike
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 12:38 PM

i have switched from dial-up to a satellite dish on the roof
it is from "got sky" and'or "wild blue" i think i have seen
some referecne to "got sky" in the UK...is this sort of connection
availabe there??

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Rasener
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:07 PM

Satellite is available in the UK, but you receive info through the dish, but when you send you have to do it by dial up modem.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 01:02 PM

Yes - go for it! Use a router with a hardware firewall. I disagree with Richard aboout both the security and bandwidth problems. Provided you get your router in the right place and choose the right channel you will have 54Mbps between the router and PC and only 2-10Mbps on the WAN. So between 5 and 25 PC's could comfortably share the bandwidth. Remember it is a switch rather than a hub and each LAN connection gets the full wireless bandwidth. As to security if you enable 64bit WEP, hide the SSID and use MAC address filtering you will be protected from all but the most dedicated hacker with a mega-processor and a few days of decrypting on his hands! If you have something that needs hiding that much then yes - go for a wired one:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 04:28 PM

And if you have a cable between the router and your main computer (which most times is going to be convenient to do), that gives you the full bandwidth, whatever that may be, for that computer - which will normally be a lot higher than 54Mbps.

Subject: RE: Tech. Switch to Broadband?
From: Scrump
Date: 01 Nov 06 - 12:06 PM

And if you have a cable between the router and your main computer (which most times is going to be convenient to do), that gives you the full bandwidth, whatever that may be, for that computer - which will normally be a lot higher than 54Mbps.

Yes, that's what I did too. It also made me less worried (rightly or wrongly) about the possibility of anyone being able to snoop on me when I'm doing online banking, etc., which I do on the 'main' PC, not the laptop.